Words from government and agencies are simply not enough – only solutions to flooding are acceptable, says Rosie Cooper MP

20th June, 2016

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper is calling on government and agencies to offer solutions not more words to the flooding problems hitting West Lancashire residents following the flash flooding that hit Skelmersdale devastating 60 homes.

MP Rosie said:

“West Lancashire residents are living in fear of their homes and their cars being severely damaged from flooding, even after just an hour’s heavy rain.

“In the past I have met with agencies, including United Utilities, over flooding at Dog Bone Island, homes on Birch Green and the sewer system along School Lane in Old Skelmersdale after previous flooding incidents.

“Despite residents paying their council tax, income tax and their utility bills none of the agencies or the government ever offer a solution. For residents words offer no comfort or help.

“They all talk about the severity of rainfall. We’ve all heard about rainfall being ‘once in a hundred years’, but the reality is that people’s homes are being hit every couple of years now. Making this severe rainfall more of a regular biannual event rather than the trite throwaway line of “once in every one hundred years”.

“West Lancashire residents need real solutions, need prevention not repair, need investment not cuts, and need to see a commitment from government and the agencies that actually work to solve the problem not just manage the clean-up. Residents shouldn’t have to live with this devastation, the costs or live in fear of rainy days. If it was affecting the Prime Minister then action would follow very quickly. West Lancashire demands action is my message to him”